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New accommodation for Jesus College students

The University of Cambridge’s historic Jesus College opened its doors for the autumn term with brand new student accommodation.

The 123 en-suite rooms and supporting facilities were delivered to a fast track programme of 60 weeks with £2.5m worth of full building services installed by Cambridge based M&E industry experts, Kershaw Mechanical Services.

Converting the Grade 1 listed Chapel Court, comprising the linked Carpenter and Morley Horder buildings, was particularly challenging as all the original features, including 29 timber staircases, extensive wall panelling and wooden floorboards, had to be safe-guarded during the works.

A complete new roof enabled access for the vast amount of pipework required for the M & E installation – over two miles in total – providing low temperature hot water and domestic services from the basement plant room, which incorporates a ground source heat pump, along the length of the building and down into the individual student rooms.

Kershaw also provided extraction for each separate core, and installed a complete new heating and service plant. Solar Photo Voltaic panels add to the building’s energy efficiency. Electrical installation included fire alarms, new power and lighting, data points, CCTV and door entry controls.

Ian Greenstock, Kershaw Mechanical Services’ sales director explained: “This is the second time we have worked for Morgan Sindall at Jesus College, reflecting the success of the Archway boiler house project where we installed new boiler plant below ground level under a historic archway into the college. Working on this major project has been a great team effort and we are delighted to have delivered on time for the new student intake.”